Apparatus for obtaining high quality formation fluid samples

ABSTRACT

A well fluid sampling tool is provided. The sampling tool includes at least one insulated sample chamber mounted in a tool collar. The tool collar may be coupled with a drill string such that, when the tool collar is deployed in a well bore, selected sample chambers may receive a fluid sample from outside the drill string without removing the drill string from the well bore (e.g., during measurement while drilling or logging while drilling operations). A heating module in thermal communication with at least one of the sample chambers is disposed to selectively heat the sample chambers in thermal communication therewith. The sampling tool may be particularly useful for acquiring and preserving substantially pristine formation fluid samples.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/492,483 entitled Apparatus for Obtaining High Quality FormationFluid Samples, filed Aug. 4, 2003.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the drilling of oil and gaswells, and more specifically, to a formation fluid sampling tool andmethod of use for acquiring and preserving substantially pristineformation fluid samples.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The commercial development of hydrocarbon (e.g., oil and natural gas)fields requires significant capital investment. Thus it is generallydesirable to have as much information as possible pertaining to thecontents of a hydrocarbon reservoir and/or geological formation in orderto determine its commercial viability. There have been significantadvances in measurement while drilling and logging while drillingtechnology in recent years (hereafter referred to as MWD and LWD,respectively). These advances have improved the quality of data receivedfrom downhole sensors regarding subsurface formations. It is nonethelessstill desirable to obtain one or more formation fluid samples during thedrilling and completion of an oil and/or gas well. Once retrieved at thesurface, these samples typically undergo specialized chemical andphysical analysis to determine the type and quality of the hydrocarbonscontained therein. In general, it is desirable to collect the samples asearly as possible in the life of the well to minimize contamination ofthe native hydrocarbons by drilling damage.

As is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, formation fluids(e.g., water, oil, and gas) are found in geological formations atrelatively high temperatures and pressures (as compared to ambientconditions at the surface). At these relatively high temperatures andpressures, the formation fluid is typically a single-phase fluid, withthe gaseous components being dissolved in the liquid. A reduction inpressure (such as may occur by exposing the formation fluid to ambientconditions at the surface) typically results in the separation of thegaseous and liquid components. Cooling of the formation fluid towardssuch ambient temperatures typically results in a reduction in volume(and therefore a reduction in pressure if the fluid is housed in asealed container), which also tends to result in a separation of thegaseous and liquid components. Cooling of the formation fluid may alsoresult in substantially irreversible precipitation and/or separation ofother compounds previously dissolved therein. Thus it is generallydesirable for a sampling apparatus to be capable of substantiallypreserving the temperature and/or pressure of the formation fluid in itsprimitive formation condition.

Berger et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,186, disclose an apparatus andmethod for obtaining samples of formation fluid using a work stringdesigned for performing other downhole work such as drilling, workoveroperations, or re-entry operations. The apparatus includes sensors forsensing downhole conditions while using a work string that permitsworking fluid properties to be adjusted without withdrawing the workstring from the well bore. The apparatus also includes a relativelysmall integral sample chamber coupled to multiple input and outputvalves for collecting and housing a formation fluid sample.

Schultz et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 6,236,620, disclose an apparatus andmethod for drilling, logging, and testing a subsurface formation withoutremoving the drill string from the well bore. The apparatus includes asurge chamber and surge chamber receptacle for use in sampling formationfluids. The surge chamber is lowered through the drill string intoengagement with the surge chamber receptacle, receives a sample offormation fluid, and then is retrieved to the surface. Repeated samplingmay be accomplished without removing the drill string by removing thesurge chamber, evacuating it, and then lowering it back into the well.While the Berger and Schultz apparatuses apparently permit samples to becollected relatively early in the life of a well, without retrieval ofthe drill string, they include no capability to preserve the temperatureof the formation fluid. Further, it is a relatively complex operation toremove the formation fluid sample from the Berger apparatus.

Brown et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,901,788 disclose a wire or slick lineapparatus in which the sample chamber may be thermally insulated, givena high heat capacity, and/or provided with a heating source such as anelectric heater, with the intent of maintaining the sample at atemperature similar to that of the formation. Corrigan et al., in PCTPublication WO 00/34624, disclose a slick line apparatus including asample chamber contained within an evacuated jacket for maintaining thetemperature of a formation fluid sample. The Corrigan apparatus furtherincludes multiple heaters spaced along the sample chamber. One drawbackof the Brown and Corrigan apparatuses is that they require the retrievalof the drill string from the well bore prior to being lowered therein,which typically involves significant cost and time, and increases therisk of subsurface damage to the formation of interest.

Therefore, there exists a need for improved apparatuses and methods forobtaining samples of formation fluid from a well. In particular, anapparatus that does not require retrieval of the drill string from thewell and that has the capability of preserving the sample of formationfluid in substantially pristine conditions is highly desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses difficulties in acquiring and preservingsamples of pristine formation fluid, including those difficultiesdescribed above. Aspects of this invention include a sampling tool forobtaining samples of relatively pristine formation fluid withoutremoving the drill string from the well bore. Sampling tools accordingto the invention may retrieve samples from both deep and shallow wells.Exemplary sampling tool embodiments of this invention are configured forcoupling to the drill string and include one or more sample chambers.The sample chambers are typically insulated and/or provided with a heatsource (also referred to as a heating module, e.g., an electric heater)for maintaining the temperature of the formation fluid. Sampling toolembodiments according to this invention typically further includeon-board electronics disposed to collect multiple samples of pristineformation fluid at substantially any predetermined moment or timeinterval.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention may advantageouslyprovide several technical advantages. For example, sampling toolembodiments according to this invention may advantageously provide forimproved sampling of formation fluid from, for example, deep wells. Inparticular, embodiments of this invention are configured with the intentto try to maintain, for as long as possible, the fluid at about the sametemperature and pressure conditions as found in the formation. A toolaccording to this invention, in combination with a logging whiledrilling (LWD) tool, is couplable to a drill string, and thus in such aconfiguration provides for sampling of formation fluid shortly afterpenetration of the formation of interest. Advantages are thus providedfor the acquisition and preservation of relatively high qualityformation fluid sample in substantially pristine conditions. These highquality samples may provide for more accurate determination of formationproperties and thus may enable a better assessment of the economicviability of an oil and/or gas reservoir.

In one aspect the present invention includes a downhole sampling tool.The downhole sampling tool includes a tool collar having at least onesample chamber deployed therein. Each sample chamber includes aninsulating layer deployed thereabout. The tool collar is disposed to beoperatively coupled with a drill string deployed in a well bore suchthat, when the tool collar is coupled to the drill string, samplechambers may be selectively placed in fluid communication with formationfluid drawn from outside the drill string without removing the drillstring from the well bore. The sampling tool further includes a heatingmodule in thermal communication with at least one of the samplechambers. The heating module is disposed to selectively heat the samplechambers in thermal communication therewith.

In another aspect this invention includes a logging while drilling (LWD)tool. The logging while drilling tool includes a tool collar having atleast one chamber mounted therein. Each sample chamber includes aninsulating layer deployed thereabout. The tool collar is disposed to beoperatively coupled with a drill string deployed in a well bore suchthat, when the tool collar is coupled to the drill string, samplechambers may be selectively placed in fluid communication with formationfluid drawn from outside the drill string without removing the drillstring from the well bore. The LWD tool further includes a heatingmodule in thermal communication with at least one of the samplechambers. The heating module is disposed to selectively heat the samplechambers in thermal communication therewith. The LWD tool still furtherincludes at least one packer element. Each packer element is disposed toseal the wall of the well bore around the LWD tool. Each packer elementis further selectively positionable between sealed and unsealedpositions. The LWD yet further includes a sample inlet port connected tothe at least one sample chamber via an inlet passageway.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technicaladvantages of the present invention in order that the detaileddescription of the invention that follows may be better understood.Additional features and advantages of the invention will be describedhereinafter, which form the subject of the claims of the invention. Itshould be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conceptionand the specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basisfor modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the samepurposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by thoseskilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart fromthe spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and theadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptionstaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an offshore oil and/or gasdrilling platform utilizing an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway schematic representation of an exemplarysampling module embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway schematic representation of an exemplaryembodiment of a sample chamber insert for use with the exemplarysampling module of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway schematic representation of an exemplarysampling tool according to the present invention, including theexemplary sampling module of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, one exemplary embodiment of sampling module 100according to this invention is schematically illustrated in use in anoffshore oil or gas drilling assembly, generally denoted 10. Asemisubmersible drilling platform 12 is positioned over an oil or gasformation 14 disposed below the sea floor 16. A subsea conduit 18extends from deck 20 of platform 12 to a wellhead installation 22. Theplatform may include a derrick 26 and a hoisting apparatus 28 forraising and lowering the drill string 30 including drill bit 32,sampling module 100, and formation tester 200. Drill string 30 mayfurther include a downhole drill motor, a mud pulse telemetry system,and one or more sensors, such as a nuclear logging instrument, forsensing downhole characteristics of the well, bit, and reservoir.

During a drilling, testing, and sampling operation, drill bit 32 isrotated on drill string 30 to create a well bore 40. Shortly after thedrill bit 32 intersects the formation 14 of interest, drilling typicallystops to allow formation testing before contamination of the formationoccurs, e.g., by invasion of working fluid or filter cake build-up.Expandable packers 220 are inflated to sealing engage the wall of wellbore 40. The inflated packers 220 isolate a portion of the well bore 40adjacent the formation 14 to be tested. Formation fluid is then receivedat port 216 of formation tester 200 and may be pumped into one or moresample chambers 122 illustrated on FIG. 2. As described in more detailhereinbelow with respect to FIG. 4, embodiments of formation tester 200may include a fluid identification module 210 including one or moresensors for sensing properties of the various fluids that may beencountered. Formation tester 200 may further pass fluid through a fluidpassageway to one or more sample tanks housed in sample module 100.

It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that thesampling module 100 and the formation tester 200 of the presentinvention are not limited to use with a semisubmersible platform 12 asillustrated on FIG. 1. Sampling module 100 and formation tester 200 areequally well suited for use with any kind of subterranean drillingoperation, either offshore or onshore.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, a schematic illustration of oneexemplary embodiment of the sampling module 100 (also referred to hereinas a sampling tool) according to this invention is shown. Samplingmodule 100 includes one or more sample tanks 120 disposed in a collar110. Collar 110 is typically configured for mounting on a drill string,e.g., drill string 30 (FIG. 1), and thus may include conventionalthreaded connectors on the top and bottom thereof. While FIGS. 2 and 3show a sampling module including three sample tanks 120, the artisan ofordinary skill will readily recognize that sampling module 100 mayinclude substantially any number of sample tanks disposed insubstantially any arrangement in the collar 110.

As described hereinabove, sample tanks 120 are configured to maintainthe temperature of the formation fluid at a value substantially equal tothat of the formation (e.g., formation 14 in FIG. 1). In the embodimentof FIG. 2, sample tanks 120 include a sample chamber 122 surrounded byone or more insulating layers 124. The sample chamber 122 may befabricated from, for example, stainless steel or a titanium alloy,although it will be appreciated that it may be fabricated fromsubstantially any suitable material in view of the service temperaturesand pressures, exposure to corrosive formation fluids, and otherdownhole conditions. Insulating layer 124 may include substantially anysuitable thermally insulating material, such as a polyurethane coatingor an aerogel foam disposed on the sample chamber 122. Insulating layer124 may further include an evacuated annular region, the vacuum aroundthe sample chamber 122 further enhancing the thermal insulation thereof.In one desirable embodiment insulating layer 124 is sufficient tosubstantially maintain the temperature of a sample at the formationtemperature, the sample chamber 124 having an revalue of, for example,greater than or equal to about 12.

With further reference to the embodiment of FIG. 2, the exterior of thesample chamber 122 is wound with an electrical resistance heating module128 typically in the form of a tape, foil, or chain. Sample chamber 122may alternately be coated with an electrically resistive coating. Theheating module 128 is typically communicably coupled to a controller(shown schematically at 140) mounted inside the collar 110. Inembodiments in which the heating module 128 includes an electricalheating mechanism, electric power may be provided by substantially anyknown electrical system, such as a battery pack mounted in the tool body110, or elsewhere in the drill string, or a turbine disposed in the flowof drilling fluid. Alternately and/or additionally, the sample chambermay be heated using known chemical techniques, e.g., by a controlledexothermic chemical reaction in a separate chamber (not shown).

Referring again to FIG. 2, the one or more sample chambers 122 are influid communication with a sample fluid passageway 130 including aninlet port 134 for receiving formation fluid (e.g. from an LWD tool).Passageway 130 is further in fluid communication with inlet valves 132for controlling the flow of the formation fluid to the one or moresample chambers 122. Inlet valves 132 are communicably coupled to thecontroller 140 and allow collection of separate fluid samples in each ofthe sample chambers 122 (e.g., at unique times or penetration depths).Multiple samples may also be collected simultaneously and optionallyheld at separate temperatures, thus providing additional informationabout the temperature and pressure stability of the formation fluid.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, controller 140 may include aprogrammable processor (not shown), such as a microprocessor or amicrocontroller, and may also include processor readable or computerreadable program code embodying logic, including instructions forcontrolling the function of valves 132 and heating modules 128.Controller 140 may be disposed in communication with one or moretemperature probes (not shown) appropriately sized, shaped, positioned,and configured for providing temperature readings of the interior of thesample chambers 122. The temperature probes may include, for example athermistor or a thermocouple in thermal contact with the samples.Controller 140 may optionally be disposed in electronic communicationwith other sensors and/or probes for monitoring other physicalparameters of the samples (e.g., a pressure sensor for measuring thepressure of the interior of the sample chamber 122). Controller 140 mayalso optionally be disposed in electronic communication with othersensors for measuring well bore properties, such as a gamma ray depthdetection sensor or an accelerometer, gyro or magnetometer to detectazimuth and inclination. Controller 140 may also optionally communicatewith other instruments in the drill string, such as telemetry systemsthat communicate with the surface. Controller 140 may further optionallyinclude volatile or non-volatile memory or a data storage device. Theartisan of ordinary skill will readily recognize that while controller140 is shown disposed in collar 110 (FIG. 2), it may alternately bedisposed elsewhere, such as in identification module 210 of fluid tester200.

In alternative embodiments, sampling module 100 may be configured toinclude a sample chamber insert 150 mountable in the collar 110 asillustrated on FIG. 3. The sample chamber insert 150 may, for example,include the one or more sample tanks 120, the fluid passageway 130, theinlet valves 132, and the controller 140 disposed in a housing 152. Thisembodiment may be advantageous in that the sample chamber insert 150,including the sample tanks 120, may be removed from the collar 110 andtransported to a remote location for sample testing.

Referring now to FIG. 4, another embodiment of the present inventionincludes a sample module 100 coupled to a formation tester 200 (e.g., aLWD tool). While sample module 100 and formation tester 200 are showncoupled at 235 (e.g., threaded to one another), the artisan of ordinaryskill will readily recognize that consistent with the present inventionthey may also be fabricated as an integral unit. Formation tester 200may be according to embodiments described and claimed in U.S. Pat. No.6,236,620 to Schultz, et al. and typically includes one or more packerelements 220 for selectively sealing the wall of the well bore aroundformation tester 200. FIG. 4 illustrates two packer elements 220 forisolating a substantially annular portion of the well bore adjacent to aformation of interest. The packer elements 220 may comprise any typepacker element, such as compression type or inflatable type. Inflatabletype packer elements 220 may be inflated by substantially any suitabletechnique, such as by injecting a pressurized fluid into the packer. Thepacker elements 220 may further include optional covers (not illustratedon FIG. 4) to shield the components thereof from the potentiallydamaging effects of the various forces encountered during drilling(e.g., collisions with the wall of the well bore).

With further reference to FIG. 4, the formation tester 200 furtherincludes at least one inlet port 216 disposed between packer elements220. In embodiments including only one packer element 220, inlet port216 is typically disposed therebelow (e.g., further towards the bottomof the well). Inlet port 216 is in fluid communication with a fluididentification module (shown schematically at 210) via fluid passageway218. Fluid identification module 210 typically includes instrumentationincluding one or more sensors for monitoring and recording properties ofthe various fluids that may be encountered in the well bore, from whicha fluid type may be determined. For example, sensor measurements maydistinguish between working fluid (e.g., drilling mud) and formationfluid. The fluid identification module 210 may include any of arelatively wide variety of sensors, including a resistivity sensor forsensing fluid or formation resistivity and a dielectric sensor forsensing the dielectric properties of the fluid or formation. Module 210may further include pressures sensors, temperature sensors, opticalsensors, acoustic sensors, nuclear magnetic resonance sensors, densitysensors, viscosity sensors, pH sensors, and the like. Fluididentification module 210 typically further includes numerous valves andfluid passageways (not shown) for directing formation fluid to thevarious sensors and for directing fluid to, for example, a sample outputpassageway 214 or a fluid discharge passageway 212, in fluidcommunication with output port 213.

Formation tester 200 typically further includes a control module (notshown) of analogous purpose to that described above with respect tocontroller 140. The control module, for example controls the function ofthe various sensors described above and communicates sensor output withoperators at the surface, for example, by conventional mud telemetry orelectric line communications techniques. The control module may furtherbe communicably coupleable with controller 140.

In operation, formation tester 200 is advantageously positioned adjacenta formation of interest in the well bore. The packer elements 220 areinflated, thereby isolating a substantially annular portion of the wellbore adjacent the formation. One or more pumps 250 are utilized to pumpformation fluid into the tool at port 216. The pump 250 may include, forexample, a bi-directional piston pump, such as that disclosed in U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,303,775 and 5,377,755 to Michaels et al., or substantiallyany other suitable pump in view of the service temperatures andpressures, exposure to corrosive formation fluids, and other downholeconditions. Fluid is typically pumped into the tool (rather than flowingby the force of the reservoir pressure) in order to maintain it aboveits bubble pressure (i.e., the pressure below which a single phase fluidbecomes a two phase fluid). Sampled formation fluid then passes throughthe fluid identification module 210 where it is tested using one or moreof the various sensors described above. Fluid is typically pumped in andthen discharged from the tool via passageway 212 and output port 213until it is sensed to have predetermined properties (e.g., a resistivityin a certain range) identifying it as likely to be a substantiallypristine formation fluid. Typically, upon first pumping, the formationfluid is contaminated with drilling fluid. After some time, however,substantially pristine formation fluid may be drawn into the tool androuted to sampling module 100 via passageway 214. Samples may beobtained using substantially any protocol (e.g., at a various timeintervals or matching certain predetermined fluid properties measured byidentification module 210).

Referring now to FIG. 2, with further reference to FIG. 4, substantiallypristine formation fluid may be received at inlet port 134, which is influid communication with fluid passageway 214, and routed to one or moresample chambers 122 through valves 132. If the sample temperature falls,such a temperature change may be detected by the controller 140, (e.g.,using a thermistor or thermocouple in thermal contact with the sample).In response to the detected temperature drop, the control circuit may,for example, connect an electrical power supply (e.g., a battery source)with the electrical heating module 128 to heat the sample chamber 122and thus stabilize the temperature of the sample.

Although the present invention and its advantages have been described indetail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions andalternations can be made herein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

1. A downhole sampling tool, comprising: a tool collar, the tool collarincluding at least one sample chamber deployed therein, each samplechamber including an insulating layer deployed thereabout; the toolcollar disposed to be operatively coupled with a drill string deployedin a well bore such that, when the tool collar is coupled to the drillstring, sample chambers may be selectively placed in fluid communicationwith formation fluid drawn from outside the drill string withoutremoving the drill string from the well bore; and a heating module inthermal communication with at least one of the sample chambers, theheating module disposed to selectively heat said sample chambers inthermal communication therewith.
 2. The sampling tool of claim 1,further comprising a sample inlet port on an outer surface of the toolcollar, the sample inlet port connected to the sample chamber via afluid passageway.
 3. The sampling tool of claim 2, further comprising apump in fluid communication with the sample inlet port.
 4. The samplingtool of claim 3, wherein the pump comprises a bi-directional pistonpump.
 5. The sampling tool of claim 1, wherein the tool collar comprisesa plurality of sample chambers deployed therein.
 6. The sampling tool ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one sample chamber is deployedsubstantially coaxially with the tool collar.
 7. The sampling tool ofclaim 1, wherein the insulating layer comprises an r-value of greaterthan or equal to
 12. 8. The sampling tool of claim 1, wherein theinsulating layer comprises an insulating material selected from thegroup consisting of a polyurethane coating and an aerogel foam.
 9. Thesampling tool of claim 1, wherein the insulating layer comprises anevacuated region.
 10. The sampling tool of claim 1, wherein the heatingmodule comprises an electrical resistance heater.
 11. The sampling toolof claim 10, wherein a portion of the heating module is wound about thesample chamber.
 12. The sampling tool of claim 10, wherein the heatingmodule comprises an electrically resistive coating deployed about thesample chamber.
 13. The sampling tool of claim 1, further comprising anelectronic controller in control communication with the heating module.14. The sampling tool of claim 13, wherein the electronic controller isfurther in control communication with at least one temperature sensordeployed in the sample chamber.
 15. The sampling tool of claim 14,wherein the electronic controller is configured to maintain atemperature of the sample chamber above a predetermined minimumtemperature.
 16. The sampling tool of claim 1, being coupled to alogging while drilling tool.
 17. The sampling tool of claim 1, whereinthe sample chamber and the heating module are deployed in a samplechamber insert, the sample chamber insert sized and shaped for removablereceipt within the tool collar.
 18. A downhole sampling tool,comprising: a tool collar, the tool collar including a sample chamberinsert deployed therein, the sample chamber insert sized and shaped forremovable receipt within the tool collar; at least one sample chamberdeployed in the sample chamber insert, each sample chamber including aninsulating layer deployed thereabout; a heating module deployed in thesample chamber insert in thermal communication with at least one of thesample chambers, the heating module disposed to selectively heat saidsample chambers in thermal communication therewith; and the tool collardisposed to be operatively coupled with a drill string deployed in awell bore such that, when the tool collar is coupled to the drillstring, sample chambers may be selectively placed in fluid communicationwith formation fluid drawn from outside the drill string withoutremoving the drill string from the well bore.
 19. The sampling tool ofclaim 18 wherein the insulating layer comprises an insulating materialselected from the group consisting of a polyurethane coating and anaerogel foam.
 20. The sampling tool of claim 19, wherein the insulatinglayer comprises an evacuated region.
 21. The sampling tool of claim 18,wherein the heating module comprises an electrical resistance heater, aportion of the electrical resistance heater wound about at least one ofthe sample chambers.
 22. The sampling tool of claim 18, furthercomprising an electronic controller communicably coupled with (i) theheating module and (ii) at least one temperature sensor deployed in thesample chamber.
 23. The sampling tool of claim 22, wherein theelectronic controller is configured to maintain a temperature of thesample chamber above a predetermined minimum temperature.
 24. Thesampling tool of claim 18, further comprising a bi-directional pistonpump connected to a sample inlet port, the sample inlet port connectedto the sample chamber via a fluid passageway.
 25. A logging whiledrilling tool comprising: a tool collar, the tool collar including atleast one sample chamber mounted therein, each sample chamber includingan insulating layer deployed thereabout; the tool collar disposed to beoperatively coupled with a drill string deployed in a well bore suchthat, when the tool collar is coupled to the drill string, samplechambers may be selectively placed in fluid communication with formationfluid drawn from outside the drill string without removing the drillstring from the well bore; a heating module in thermal communicationwith at least one of the sample chambers, the heating module disposed toselectively heat said sample chambers in thermal communicationtherewith; at least one packer element, each packer element disposed toseal the wall of the well bore around the logging while drilling tool,each packer element being selectively positionable between sealed andunsealed positions; and a sample inlet port connected to the at leastone sample chamber via an inlet passageway.
 26. The logging whiledrilling tool of claim 25, comprising first and second packer elements,the sample inlet port being disposed between the first and second packerelements.
 27. The logging while drilling tool of claim 25, furthercomprising a fluid identification module in fluid communication with theinlet passageway, the fluid identification module including at least onesensor disposed to sense a property of a formation fluid.
 28. Thelogging while drilling tool of claim 27, wherein at least one of thesensors in the fluid identification module is selected from the groupconsisting of a resistivity sensor, a dielectric sensor, a pressuresensor, a temperature sensor, an optical sensor, an acoustic sensor, anuclear magnetic resonance sensor, a density sensor, a viscosity sensor,and a pH sensor.
 29. The logging while drilling tool of claim 27,further comprising: a first fluid passageway connecting the fluididentification module to the at least one sample chamber; and a secondfluid passageway connecting the fluid identification module to an outputport through which fluid may be expelled from the tool.
 30. The loggingwhile drilling tool of claim 25, wherein the tool collar comprises aplurality of sample chambers mounted therein.
 31. The logging whiledrilling tool of claim 25, wherein the insulating layer comprises anr-value of greater than or equal to
 12. 32. The logging while drillingtool of claim 25, wherein the heating module comprises an electricalresistance heater wound about the sample chamber.
 33. The logging whiledrilling tool of claim 25, further comprising an electronic controllerin control communication with the heating module.
 34. The logging whiledrilling tool of claim 25, further comprising a bi-directional pistonpump in fluid communication with the sample inlet port.
 35. The loggingwhile drilling tool of claim 25, wherein the sample chamber and theheating module are deployed in a sample chamber insert, the samplechamber insert sized and shaped for removable receipt within the toolcollar.
 36. An integrated apparatus for retrieving a fluid sample from awell bore, the apparatus comprising: a drill string having a drill bitdisposed on one end thereof; a formation evaluation tool disposed on thedrill string proximate to the drill bit; and a formation fluid samplingapparatus also disposed on the drill string proximate to the drill bit,the formation fluid sampling apparatus including: a tool collar, thetool collar including at least one sample chamber deployed therein, eachsample chamber including an insulating layer deployed thereabout; thetool collar disposed to be operatively coupled with the drill stringsuch that sample chambers may be selectively placed in fluidcommunication with formation fluid drawn from outside the drill stringwithout removing the drill string from the well bore; and a heatingmodule in thermal communication with at least one of the samplechambers, the heating module disposed to selectively heat said samplechambers in thermal communication therewith.
 37. A method for acquiringa formation fluid sample from a formation of interest in a well bore,the method comprising: (a) deploying a formation fluid sampling tool ata location of a formation of interest in a well bore, the sampling toolbeing operative coupled with a drill string proximate to a drill bit,the sampling tool comprising: a tool collar, the tool collar includingat least one sample chamber deployed therein, each sample chamberincluding an insulating layer deployed thereabout; the tool collardisposed such that the at least one sample chamber may be selectivelyplaced in fluid communication with formation fluid drawn from outsidethe drill string without removing the drill string from the well bore;and a heating module in thermal communication with at least one of thesample chambers, the heating module disposed to selectively heat saidsample chambers in thermal communication therewith; (b) pumpingformation fluid into selected ones of the sample chambers; and (c)heating the formation fluid received in (b) in the selected samplechambers using the heating module.